One of the best opportunities to see wild orcas in the world is right here in the salish sea the booming population of mammaleating biggs killer whales and the fisheating southern resident killer whales of j, k, and l pods both feed throughout the region yearround. Meet the real pacific northwest locals as we journey to the san juan islands and discover seattle whale watching through the eyes of captain jason mihok, clipper captain of. Tracks different fares and transfers automatically. Orca whalewatching is most reliable from mid april through midoctober with killer whale activity peaking june through september. In the high season for whale watching, they usually do well. Sandwiched between mountains to the east and the puget sound to the west, seattles location is what opens up much of the amazing things to. Seattle is known for many thingsfor major attractions like the space needle, for amazing outdoorsy activities within and near the city, and for fresh and local foods. Orca spirits three hour whale watching tours run daily from april through october. Three generations of our family have helped visitors have lifechanging experiences with some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. The sound is home to transient pods as well mammaleating orcas who make regular rounds in search of harbor seals, sea lions and porpoises for their next meal. Most seattle residents will consider it lucky to spot a single whale while in town, but those with an eye to the water. The san juan islands of washington are famous as the top orca whale watching location in the united states.
Orca spirit authentic whale watching tours from victoria. Every trip is led by a certified marine naturalist whose knowledge and passion for vancouver islands marine wildlife is unequaled in the industry, and every vessel in our fleet is equipped with hydrophones to bring the underwater experience to light. As whale watching season revs up in friday harbor, the town also welcomes back that mystery, the skeleton of a baby orca named sooke. They typically spend four to seven months of the year in the salish sea. San juan island is considered the best place to view orca whales because of the large salmon population, which is. Seattle to san juan island day trip with whale watching unlike mammaleating orcas, salmoneating orcas have a smaller and more defined traveling range. Salmoneating orca whales southern resident orcas best time to view. San juan island is the center of whale watching in the pacific northwest and therefore friday harbor on san juan island is the best location for departing on a whale watch tour in washington state. During this peak season our sighting success rate is at 9598 % for viewing resident orca pods near victoria.
The purpose of orca networks whale sighting network and education project is to encourage observation and increase awareness and knowledge about the southern resident community of orcas j, k and l pods, and foster a stewardship ethic to motivate a diverse audience to take. My dates are flexible but i would prefer to go in april. Whale watching for gray whales is best during the months of march, april, and may as they migrate to summer feeding grounds in the north pacific from their summer breeding waters of baja california. When the whales migrate past the city again in the fall, they become. While we do not guarantee whale sightings on our tours, 20 years of sightings data shows that we do have a 90% chance of seeing whales during the peak months of june september. Whale watching in the san juans orca tours turn friday harbor into a wildlife mecca, even in the off season. The san juan islands is the best spot to observe orca whales in the american northwest. The killer whale or orca orcinus orca is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. Whale watching just 90 miles from seattle in friday harbor on san juan island. And yet another option that pairs a unique experience with whale watching is taking a kenmore air flight out of seattle to the san juans, where you can board a whale watching tour. And its probably new this year since more whales have decided to spend their winters in puget sound. But something that defines seattle more than anything is its location.
The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for orcas as well. Buckmaster says, summer through early fall is a great time to possibly view salmoneating orcas on our seattle to san juan island whale watching day trip as they follow chinook salmon to the rivers where the fish spawn. Full guidelines maintain a distance of 200 meters from killer whales and 100 meters from all other whales in canadian and us waters. At this time of year in the pacific northwest the sun does not set until approximately 9.
For the best whalewatching in seattle, enjoy the beauty of san juan island on a whalewatching cruise from friday harbor, a quaint town on the island. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san juan. We run april through early october and we see whales throughout this season. L41 mega, l85 mystery, and newborn calf l124, on january 11, 2019. Humpback whale watching in washington state island adventures. Id prefer to see orcas and i heard they might be around that area in april. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a. San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle washington. There is one nowi cant remember if its island adventures or puget sound express or someone elsebut its new this year. Orca whale watching in the san juan islands island adventures. Book a whalewatching tour with one of the many companies in the area to see orcas up close. The purpose of orca networks whale sighting network and education project is to encourage observation and increase awareness and knowledge about the southern resident community of orcas j, k and l pods, and foster a stewardship ethic to motivate a diverse audience to take action to protect and.
Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle, washington. Sw looking for more spots on the shore that are good for whale watching. And thats typically when we go to enjoy the islands. Spend a day with orcas, humpback, minke whales and more as you cruise through the waters of the salish sea aboard five stars sleek, 40passenger vessel on a victoria whale watching adventure. Their fierce predatory style won them the nickname of killer whale in spite of the fact that orcas, both in the wild and in captivity, show incredible curiosity, awareness and gentleness toward people. We typically see members of our three resident orca whale pods family groups of whales the most in june, july, august and the first half of september and we typically see transient orca whales in april, may and the latter half of. Does anyone know if this is a good time to whale watch. Biggs orcas differ from the resident orca pods that follow the salmon chum runs, as they eat mammals. Some feed exclusively on fish, while others hunt marine mammals such as seals and other species of dolphin. Our 34 hour adventure whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. Book your orca whale watching tour with mayas legacy whale watching, departing daily from san juan island, just 90 miles from seattle. San juan island is where the southern resident killer whales live about six months out of the year, from midapril to october. We are ideally located in the heart of the salish sea with premier access to an incredibly diverse ecosystem. Id like to go to seattle for several reasons but my main reason would be to whale watch.
Photo by david ellifrit, center for whale research. Our guides and naturalists work to create educational, fun, and engaging tours that provide our guests with memories to last a lifetime. Meet the orca whale orcas are highly intelligent and social animals, traveling in groups called pods. Our 34 hour classic whale watching tours depart from friday harbor, just steps from the ferry landing. During peak season orcas are encountered on 90% or more of tours. Their fierce predatory style won them the nickname of killer whale in spite of the fact that orcas, both in the wild and in captivity, show incredible curiosity, awareness and. We leave from the dock closest to the whales for your best chance to see orcas. In the fall and winter months, they leave our protected waters, sometimes for months, swimming out to sea to follow the salmon. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are strongest, although its possible to spot them through the rest of the year. At seattle orca whale watching in partnership with san juan safaris we take great pride in providing you with the best orca whale watching and wildlife tours in the pacific northwest. If you are looking for a kayak tour near seattle, the sheltered waters of the san juan islands are the perfect place. But never in the wild has an orca been known to attack a human, even when captors took their young for aquariums. To report whales please go to the orca network sightings report page, or email orca network.
Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whale watching cruise. Namu the orca sparked whale fever in 1965 seattle and a local band planned to cash in may 20, 2019 at 6. Orca whales in washington are seen year around though most often during the whale watch season beginning in april and running through september. Try whale watching from the shore at alki beach in west seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. San juan island 90 miles north of seattle is the best place for orca whale watching as we are located in the heart of salish sea. Frequently asked questions san juan excursions whale and. The center for whale research on san juan island conducts annual surveys of the orca population. Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with seattles only halfday, guaranteed whale watching tour. Select a company that adheres to ethical wildlifeviewing practices and whalewatching guidelines, and. Tap your orca card to activate epurse added online or by phone. Killer whales have a diverse diet, although individual populations often specialize in particular types of prey. During the peak season, we see whales on 90% of our tours, in addition to a variety of marine wildlife.
San juan excursions whale watching seattle seattle. The seaplane company takes off out of lake union and offers package deals that combine a flight with a whale watching experience. Orca spirit has always taken special care to practice respectful whale watching by following strict guidelines around vessel speed, viewing distance, and radio and engine usage. Seattle whale watching deals in seattle, wa groupon. Southern resident orcas feed mainly on chinook salmon and use sound to find fish, while transient killer whales have developed quiet hunting techniques to successfully. Humpback whales frequent the waters near anacortes, port angeles, and seattle whale watching departure locations, and can be found close to year round. The san juan islands, located 140 km north of seattle in the heart of salish sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. Nov 27, 2018 this west seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of biggs or transient orcas. Book an orca whale watching tour from friday harbor, san. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are strongest, although its possible to spot them. Found in all the worlds oceans, few whales can boast as successful a comeback story as the humpback whale, whose signature songs and images have become a symbol of marine conservation. Get up close with the orca whales off the san juan islands near seattle on this 4hour whalewatching cruise. See orcas, humpback whales, minke whales, gray whales and all the majestic wildlife in the salish sea on our tour departing from edmonds just minutes north of downtown seattle.
Daylong whale watching tours from seattle, around whidbey island, to the iconic san juan islands. Whale watching seattle and whale watching washington are commonly associated with whale watching in the san juan islands. In recent years, march may and october november, have had similar sighting success. Most seattle residents will consider it lucky to spot a single. Originally published in 20, minor updates were made to this article in may 2017 for accuracy. Considered the premier location to view wild orca killer whales, the waters around san juan island are ideal for whale watching. The best time to go whale watching is during the winter months of december through february and in the spring months of march through may. Apr 08, 2019 mammaleating orca whales biggs or transient orcas best time to view. Apr 6, 2020 the san juan islands, located 140 km north of seattle in the heart of salish sea, is the most famous place for orca whale watching. Orca whales usually pass through the islands in greatest numbers between midmay and midoctober when the salmon runs are. The seattle marine aquarium originally known as the seattle public aquarium was a privately owned aquarium that was opened in 1962 and closed in 1977, and was located on pier 56 on the elliott bay waterfront in seattle, washington, usa. Whale watching in seattle orca whale watching and gray.
Kayak whale watching in the san juan islands, seattle. While it is possible to see whales at any time of the year, there is a peak season from may through october. Killer orca whale watching seattle to san juan islands. San juan island whale watching day trip from seattle, wa. The first park in the world dedicated to whale watching was created here. Orca whales range through the san juan islands the most between march and october and you can expect to see them on the vast majority of our tours during that time, although we do have sightings throughout the year. Humpback whales are one of the most beloved and recognized whales in the world. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale watching. Last year 86 killer whales called puget sound home. San juan outfitters is best known for its high quality whale watch and wildlife tours, focusing not only on showing our guests orca killer whales, but a.
Orca network is a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the whales of the pacific northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. San juan safaris is pleased to offer military personnel, active or retired, and. Puget sound express familyrun whale watching tours. Memorial day through late august we offer whale watching at sunset. This west seattle beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups, leading to the presence of biggs or transient orcas. Best time to whale watch in seattle seattle forum tripadvisor. Were blessed to live in whats been called the american. Seattle to san juan island day trip with whale watching often seen during the spring in the salish sea, mammaleating orcas hunt other marine animals that feed on the herring in our waters from may to october. If you wish to see the pnw, id suggest playing on either sj or orcas islands, with my personal preference, sj. Whale watching san juan islands western prince whale. While were lucky enough to spot orcas, gray, and humpback whales year round in the pacific northwest, southern resident orcas typically travel through the san juan islands may through october. How a generation of killer whales was taken from puget sound lolita, the last surviving orca taken from puget sound, is loaded for transport by truck. Seattle ap a canadian whale researcher is reporting that a new calf has been born to the critically endangered southern resident.
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